Category Archives: Events

It’s official. Burton has decided to move the Burton U.S. Open to Vail, Colorado in 2013. The event has been held in Vermont (location of Burton HQ) for the last 30 years, and is taking a big step to move the event to Vail next season. As a Colorado resident, I could not be more excited to hear this breaking news.

 

Not only do we host the Winter X-Games  in Aspen, Colorado, but we now have another huge winter sporting event in the Burton U.S. Open. The U.S. Open has three main events – Slopestyle, Halfpipe, and a Rail Jam. There are no races at the U.S. Open, as there are in the Winter X Games, and the event is only open to snowboarders. The event typically draws thousands of spectators, eager to see the best snowboarders in the world compete for the U.S. Open title. One of the best snowboarders in the world at the moment – Mark McMorris – came by Vail to scope out the mountain & the town. Check out the video courtesy of Vail Mountain below:

 

From the looks of the video, it appears that the course and halfpipe will be in the Golden Peak area of Vail. This is normally where the park is during the winter, so it will be exciting to see how the park is built as we approach February 25^th. And as always, the best thing about events like this is that they bring concerts and other entertainment along too!

While concerts and other entertainment has not been announced, they will also most likely be hosted in the Golden Peak area of Vail and are sure to be a good time. And while Golden Peak is very close to Vail Village, it is a bit further from Lionshead Village. So if you would like to come out for this event, consider staying in Vail Village or Golden Peak first, but in the end everything in Vail is connected through their free bus system – making all stops available a short bus ride away.

 

This event grabs the attention of snow sports enthusiasts around the world, and we are frankly quite lucky to have another great event added to the great state of Colorado, and putting it in Vail will allow easy access for all travelers. So if you have some young snowboard enthusiasts yearning to watch some halfpipe or if you would like to catch some of the action yourself, contact one of our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® here at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for the best selection of lodging in the Vail area. (855) 210-2469

March 29^th – April 1^st marks the 9^th annual Vail Film Festival taking place in beautiful Vail, Colorado.  Presented by Cadillac, this year’s festival promises to deliver a screening platform that showcases filmmakers’ work and inspires viewers. Festival activities include film screenings, panel discussions, parties, live music, and a filmmaker’s reception.

 

On March 1^st the Vail Film Festival will announce what films will be screened during this year’s event.  This event will be the world premier for many films, while some will have debuted at other film festivals around the globe. There will be a variety of films showing ranging from documentaries to short films to student and adventure films.  While the majority of the screenings will be shown at the host hotel The Sebastian, producers will also utilize Cine Bistro and Vail Mountain School fir screenings.  The Sebastian is a great host hotel for the Vail Film Festival due to its premier location in Vail Village and the luxurious amenities that are inherent of the property.  At the property there is Block 16 restaurant, Frost bar and lounge, Bloom Spa, a business center and a market where you can grab a snack to go.  The Sebastian Vail offers both hotel and condominium style residences to accommodate different a variety of guests.

 

Attendees have the option of purchasing a variety of festival passes, depending on what they want to get out of the festival.  While some might be interested in just the screenings, other attendees will take advantage of the unique opportunity to participate in panel discussions with film makers and lead actors, or mix and mingle with others in the industry at the parties and in the hospitality lounge.

 

Last year I had the pleasure of attending various screenings and event parties and I loved every minute of it.  I saw some incredibly memorable films and was thoroughly impressed with the Vail Film Festival.   I look forward to another great event in 2012!

 

If you’re coming out for the Vail Film Festival and have yet to secure your lodging, give one of our local Destination Specialists a  call at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals so they can help find you the best lodging in Vail for your Film Festival experience.

Colorado is unofficially the most amazing state there is – one that is generally known for its epic winters.  With 26 ski and snowboard areas in the state it’s no wonder people flock here to vacation during the winter months.  The mountains are huge, temperatures are mild and not to mention, Colorado people are downright awesome. But, winter is not all that Colorado has to offer.

 

Ask a Colorado local about what it’s like here in the summer and you’ll likely get an earful.  This state comes alive!  From the natural beauty to the adventures to the landscape, you just can’t help but dedicate yourself to new hobbies and challenges; they just come with the terrain.   Up in the higher elevations,  the hills become crowded with mountain bikers, backpackers, fishers, rafters, hikers, campers, concerts and everything else that comes to mind when you think of the great outdoors.

 

In recent years, resort markets like Vail and Aspen have invested heavily in marketing their resort as a summer destination.  With that has spurred a lot of development in special events and infrastructure to support these destination drivers.  From participatory sporting events to those focused on culture and the arts, there is something here for everyone.  Check out some the signature events happening throughout Colorado ski towns in the summer of 2012!

Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival – June 25 – August 4^th 2012
Food and Wine Classic in Aspen – June 15-17, 2012
Telluride Bluegrass Festival – June 21-24, 2012
Teva Mountain Games Vail – May 31 – June 3, 2012
Breckenridge Kingdom Days – June 18-19, 2012
Warrior Dash at Copper Mountain – August 18 – 19, 2012
Check out this short teaser of Colorado in the summer, presented by Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.

Really, I could go on for days about the amazing things possible during a Colorado summer. However, I think it best that you come experience what it’s like for yourself. Give one of our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals. at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals a call today to plan your summer vacation to Colorado!

This year (well, technically next year in 2012) will mark Aspen Gay Ski Week’s 35^th anniversary of hosting the event. Running from January 15-22 in beautiful Aspen, Colorado, this GLBT friendly event is expected to be a blast as always. They are pulling out the stops this year for the anniversary, and will be celebrating the best of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s by hosting decade themed parties throughout the week. And remember to bring your best and/or most outlandish outfits because there will be prizes given away at the decade themed parties throughout the week! These parties are not the only thing going on for Aspen Gay Ski Week—there is an opening cocktail reception, a pool party, après ski parties, a Downhill Costume Parade and a comedy show.

Here’s some footage from last year’s Downhill Costume Parade (from PlumTV):

Participants are able to purchase a single pass (the Patron Pass) for $750 that will not only include admission to the aforementioned events and activities, but also VIP access to all of the events, a 1 day lift ticket, and a week long pass to the Aspen Club & Spa. Be sure to take advantage of this pass—unpackaged it costs $1025. Also, the ticket price includes a charitable donation to The Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund (RFGLCF), so you can SAVE BIG while knowing that you also made a donation to charity. There are various other passes available as well, and you can also buy tickets to each individual event at the door. Here is a schedule of events to take place during the week:

Sunday

• Hospitality Suite  – 8 am
• Apres Ski Hot Tub Parties @Limelight Lodge – 3 pm
• Friendship Dinner @Ellina – 6 pm
• Opening Party @Baldwin Gallery – 9 pm
• Late Night @Escobar- 11:58 pm

Monday

• Friendship Dinner @L’Hostaria – 6 pm
• Film “3″ @Wheeler Opera House- 8:15 pm
• Late Night: 70s Glow Party @Hunter Bar – 10 pm

Tuesday

• Friendship Dinner @St. Regis – 6 pm
• Film “Going Down in La-La Land” @Wheeler Opera House – 7:15 pm
• Late Night: 80s Prom @Escobar – 10 pm

Wednesday

• Aspen Club & Spa Day – 8 am
• Friendship Dinner @Elevation – 6 pm
• Boutique Night – 6:30 pm
• Late Night @Caribou Club – 10 pm

Thursday

• Friendship Dinner @Gisella – 6 pm
• Play Reading “Unmarried in America” @Wheeler Opera House – 7 pm
• Comedy Night: Demented Divas @Belly Up – 9 pm
• Late Night @Belly Up – 9 pm

Friday

• Downhill Costume Parade & Contest @ Aspen Mountain – 12 pm
• Friendship Dinner @Cache Cache – 6 pm
• Late Night: Studio 2054 Party @Sundeck – 9 pm

Saturday

• Friendship Dinner @Brexi – 6 pm
• Weekend Pool Party @Aspen Recreation Center – 9 pm

 

The Limelight Lodge is the official sponsor of Aspen Gay Ski Week, so this will definitely be where it’s happening. This stylish lodge is located right in the town of aspen and has a pool and hot-tub, free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and complimentary breakfast, among other things. Also, the lodge is pet friendly! So be sure to bring your dog along for a great week in Aspen. This property is booking fast, however, so be sure to check out some of our other lodging options just in case.

 

Aspen Gay Ski week is the GLBT travel event of the winter, so be sure to come check it out! Find out more about how our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^®  at  Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals can help you book the perfect Aspen Gay Ski Week vacation!

Col•o•ra•do (kah-luh-RA-doe) – a state in the west central united states that serves as the ultimate year-round playground due to its undeniable beauty, natural terrain, and perfect seasons. Colorado natives see no reason to leave, and non-natives get here as fast as they can because some just want to play.

This past summer I was introduced to various events that come through Colorado like the Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash and Spartan Challenge.  All of these circuit events are obstacle adventure races that require participants to get down and dirty on a course that tests one’s endurance, strength, stamina, and mental grit. These people don’t mess around…

Footage from last years Warrior Dash

These events are gaining popularity each year as more and more events of this nature continue to spring up. I’m going to let you in on a little secret about THE next event in the world of obstacle adventure racing – The Innagural Mojo Man Adventure Race will take place in Vail, Colorado over the 2012 Memorial Day weekend. Produced by Highline Sports and Entertainment, Mojo Man will occur right before the Teva Mountain Games and give Vail a surge of visitors over Memorial Day Weekend.

Mojo Man will feature Vail Mountain as the backdrop for the event, with participants racing between Vail and Lionshead Villages. The races will be designed to cater to racers of different ages and athletic abilities.  This is perfect for me, because as much fun as something like the Tough Mudder looks, I could never compete amongst those athletes!  Also, Mojo Man could potentially get the summer season started a week early in Vail—who doesn’t like that?  I look forward to seeing how plans for the race will develop over the next few months, and I will be sure to update you along the way.

Mojo Man will be one of the many great events going on in Colorado this summer, so call our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® to start planning your vacation to Colorado today.

**Stay up to date this weekend with video updates if you can’t make it to the Dew Tour in Breckenridge!

The Winter Dew Tour, founded in 2008, is one of the biggest events of the season for skiers and snowboarders. The Olympics obviously take the cake in terms of importance and level of competition, but they only happen every 4 years. The X-games are the next biggest event, and the Dew Tour falls close behind. The Dew Tour features more of the ‘up and coming’ athletes in skiing and snowboarding, and gives them a chance to make a name for themselves.

The Dew Tour is unique in that it has 3 stops throughout the winter. The first is at Breckenridge ski resort in Colorado (December 15-18), the second is in Killington, Vermont (January 19-22) and the third is at Snowbasin in Ogden, Utah (February 9-12). The third and final stop typically carries the most importance, since this is where the final results are determined and the gold medals and Dew Cups are awarded. The cup is awarded based on who performs the best on all 3 stops of the tour. This separates out the true warriors who are able to perform at each stop. Coverage of the event throughout the winter will be provided by NBC.

A few big names will be competing this year including Shawn White, Louie Vito and Danny Davis in men’s snowboarding and Simon Dumont and Torin Yater-Wallace in men’s skiing. Shaun White is back to reclaim the cup after not competing in last year’s tour, which is sure to make the competition that much more interesting. Check out footage from last year’s Dew Tour to see just how high the stakes go.

So if you come to Breckenridge for the Dew Tour or just to vacation any time of year, be sure to find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® can help you plan your customized vacation.

The Teva Mountain Games is without a doubt one of my favorite events of the summer. The games ignite an undeniable energy in athletes and spectators, while showcasing the stunning natural terrain that makes Vail a great year-round playground for athletes.

Not to my surprise, when the Vail Valley Foundation announced that they would be introducing the Winter Teva Mountain Games from February 10-12, 2012, I was stoked. Just like the summer games, the Winter Teva Mountain Games will celebrate athletes, art, music, and mountains through three days of athletic competitions, photo competitions, free concerts, demos and expos.

The Winter Teva Mountain Games will attract professional and amateur athletes who will compete for the $60,000 cash purse over the three day of event. Presented by Eddie Bauer, there are various different competitions: mixed climbing, mountain, big air and dual slalom biking, Nordic and telemark skiing, ski mountaineering, snowshoe racing, and a one-day vertical challenge in Vail’s famous back bowls! To compliment the competitions, The Spazmatics and Theophilus London will perform free concerts in Vail Village on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Vail Valley Foundation expects the Teva Winter Games to grow to the size of the Teva Summer Games over the next five years. All I can say is bring it on!

Don’t miss the inaugural 2012 Winter Teva Mountain Games! Call Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals today to plan your customized vacation today!

Every year since 2001, Aspen has been hosting the Winter X Games. And every year, they up the ante and get more creative and intense with their jumps, terrain features and race tracks. This year will be no exception.

Winter X Games 16 will return again to beautiful Aspen, Colorado from January 26-29, 2012. Last year, various milestones were set, including the first triple cork in a snowboard competition, the first 1080 by a woman in the superpipe, the first 4-peat gold by Shaun White in the superpipe, and the Moore brothers did a back flip on a snowmobile—together (however they were disqualified from the event since the event was for “individuals”). The event grows bigger each year as athletes and judges continue to raise their performance expectations, along with the growing popularity of snow sports in general. Last year broke their previous attendance record of 85,100 and reset the bar at 114,200. Attendance is expected to increase again, making Winter X Games 16 the biggest Winter X Games yet.

There are also a handful of returning athletes with big expectations: Shaun White, Scotty Lago, Louie Vito, Gretchen Bleier, Kelly Clark, Hannah Teter, Kevin Rolland, Sebastien Toutant,Torstein Horgmo,  Sarah Burke, Lindsey Jacobellis, Daniel Bodin, and a handful of others.

Here is the schedule throughout the weekend:

Thursday, Jan 26:

10:30 am – Men’s Ski Slopestyle Elimination

1:30 pm – Women’s Ski Slopestyle Final

2:30 pm – Snowboard Street Final

7 pm – Snowmobile Freestyle Final

7:45 pm – Men’s Ski Slopestyle Final

 

Friday, Jan 27:

10:30 am – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Elimination

11:30 am – Men’s & Women’s Skier X Qualifying

1:30 pm – Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final

2 pm – Men’s & Women’s Snowboarder X Qualifying

3:30 pm – Adaptive Snowboarder X Exhibition

6:30 pm – Men’s Ski SuperPipe Elimination

8:30 pm – Snowbaord Big Air Final

9 pm – Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe Final

 

Saturday, Jan 28:

9:30 am – Mono Skier X Qualifying

11 am – Women’s Ski SuperPipe Final

12:30 pm – Men’s Ski SuperPipe Final

2 pm – Men’s & Wome’s Snowboarder X Final

6:45 pm – Ski Big Air Final

7:30 pm – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final

 

Sunday, Jan 29:

12 pm – Men’s & Women’s Skier X Final

12:15 pm – Men’s Snowboard SuperPipe Elimination

2:45 pm  – Mono Skier X Final

7 pm – Snowmobile Best Trick Final

7:45 pm – Men’s Snowboard SuperPipe Final

 

Television coverage for this event can be found on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN 3D. Internet coverage can be found on espn.com/action, xgames.com and espn3.com.  And don’t forget to check out all of last year’s footage to get stoked for this year.

When searching for lodging in Aspen or Snowmass for the X Games, be sure to contact us for the best deals. Also, our complimentary full service concierge will take care of all your ski rentals, lift tickets, and transportation to and from the airport.

Find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® can help you plan your customized X Games Vacation today!

This year is the 37th Anniversary of the Annual Telluride Film Festival, which is held every year during Labor Day weekend. As if the town of Telluride didn’t already have enough attraction due to its beautiful surrounding peaks, outdoor activities, and rich history, the annual film festival draws a crowd every year filled with avid film lovers from around the world. However, like every other year, the itinerary of the films and guests themselves is not revealed until the festival actually begins, leaving an air of suspense for guests.

Each year’s festival consists of a variety of films, ranging from old classics to brand new premieres in the film industry. Each festival also features a wide variety of seminars and discussions with guest speakers from around the world and some of the industry’s most respected actors and film makers. But, these features are not the only things that make the festival such a unique experience. The location of each film and activities during the festival also draw people to the festival.

Going back into the early history of Telluride, one of the places this festival is held is the old Nugget Theatre. This theater is located inside the Old First National Bank Building, built in 1892 by James Murdoch. The theater is located right on Main Street of Telluride, and has all of the look and feel necessary to make you feel like you’re right back in old time Telluride.

Films will also be shown in the historic Sheridan Opera House, which has a bit of history all to itself. Given the rich mining history of the town of Telluride, this theater was built in 1913 by none other than the miners themselves. The opera house is small, housing just 240 people, adding to the quaint and intimate feel of the theater during showings and events. The theater was designed by the miners to host orchestras and touring theater companies as a form of entertainment in the town. Being able to witness modern films in such a historic place and venue is truly a unique experience not to be missed.

For those looking for something a bit more modern, some of the events for this year’s festival will also be held in the Michael D. Palm Theatre. This is, to put it simply, a state of the art theater. The 30,000 square foot theater features dual film projectors, a digital projector, surround sound, nearly 300 lighting options, and much more. The theater opened in 2004, and also features a full stage with a Steinway Grand piano, and occasionally hosts Broadway style performances. These are just a few of the many venues being featured during this year’s Telluride Film Festival, occurring September 2nd through September 5th.

This year’s festival is filling up fast, so buy your tickets and reserve lodging today! Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals offers many different Telluride lodging options designed to suit any and all needs during your stay. We can help you find nanny services for the kids, offer grocery delivery services, private shuttle services to and from the airport, and so much more! Contact one of our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals. ® today to find out how we can help you build a customized vacation in Telluride for your stay during this year’s Film Festival!

The 29th annual Food and Wine Classic in Aspen will be June 17-19 2011.  This is THE Aspen event to attend; whether you are the supreme foodie in your circle of friends, or you enjoy good company and divine food and drink it’s not to be missed.  Attendees come from all over the country; I will be attending from Vail, Colorado- another culinary hub. Now I cannot say that I am a supreme foodie, but I would like to think that I still know good food.  This is my first time at food and wine and there are a lot of things to consider.  The first and most obvious is where to stay?

Aspen, Colorado Vacation Rentals: Hotels are always a great choice but I am coming with a group of friends and we have not seen each other in a long time.  We want to be able to spend time together and not just hole up in a hotel room at the end of the day. Condos and homes are the answer to the hotel. You will have most comforts of home available and allows my group to be together even after the grills shut down and the wine stops pouring.  I spent time sifting thru several condo and home options and finally found a condo in Snowmass that fit our needs.  Now I know it’s not in Aspen but there is a free bus and we are an easy going group and this works fine for us- it also helps save some money.  Finding a vacation rental that works for you takes time and effort. Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals is a locally based service that can customize your lodging for any family or group looking to make the trip to Aspen for the Food and Wine Classic, but hurry lodging is booking NOW.

Find Aspen, Colorado Lodging now.

A great way to kick off your vail summer vacation! The country’s largest celebration of adventure sports, art and music, the Teva Mountain Games, are returning to Vail June 2- 5, 2011. The Teva Mountain Games attract professional and amateur athletes from all around the world to compete on the mountains and rivers of Vail in eight sports and 24 disciplines for more than $100,000 in prize money! This year’s events include kayaking, rafting mountain biking, road cycling, World Cup Bouldering, amateur climbing, fly fishing, stand up paddling, trail running and a half marathon.

In addition to the exciting sporting events, the Teva Mountain Games also offer many lifestyle components including: the Mountain Click Photo Competition, the Outside Adventure Film School, Outdoor Reels Film Festival, Mountains of Music free concerts and the Teva Mountain Ball. There will also be expos by the Gear Town and Green Light District as well as the interactive family zone, Adventure Village.

The best part of the Teva Games… spectating is totally FREE! There are also free activities such as the Bear Naked Adventure Village, the Eddie Bauer Zip Line, the Thule Stash and Dash competition, the Bud Light Mountains of Music concerts, the Outdoor Reels Film Series and MORE! All of our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals. ® here at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals are looking forward to the Teva Mountain Games and would love to help you book your dream vacation rental!

Find More Vail Colorado Events

I’ve always been a bit of a music fanatic growing up. Though, with parents who are from a small village in China, I didn’t exactly have a broad range of music to choose from. Their music did help me develop an appreciation for cultural tunes though. It wasn’t until recently that I developed a love for jazz. I had an amazing opportunity over the summer to visit New Orleans twice and decided to stop into Preservation Hall, and thus, my love for jazz was born. I had no idea that I would find quality jazz in the middle of the mountains of Colorado, but I was pleasantly surprised by the discovery of Jazz Aspen Snowmass.


Like Preservation Hall, JAS aims to preserve Jazz in its purest form. Since 1991, the JAS hosts a June Festival filled with amazing performances. It is a ten day event with free and paid events featuring world-class musicians at the Benedict Music Tent. The entire line-up for the event hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s sure to be filled with performances that you don’t want to miss. Tickets for the 2011 June Festival will go on sale Monday, March 14, ticket prices are listed below:

June Festival Ticket Pricing (price includes all service charges)


Friday, June 24
Res A – $60
Res B – $40
GA – $20


Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26
Res A – $100
Res B – $80
GA – $60


I can’t wait until the festival! It’s only a few months away and I can already hear the trombones, trumpets, and my favorite, the saxophones. If you’re a fellow music lover, then I highly suggest you get your tickets! Maybe I’ll see you out there in June. Be sure to contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for all your lodging needs!

So being an East Coast native I’m not that familiar with Rodeos. To be honest, I’ve never been to one and have always been interested in going to one.  I went ahead and looked up the definition of rodeo and this is what I got:


Rodeo:
n. pl. ro·de·o/ 1. A public competition or exhibition in which skills such as riding broncos or roping calves are displayed.


Yeah this definitely sounds cool and it would be a great experience.  And Beaver Creek will have they’re annual Rodeo this summer on June 30 and will run every Thursday during the summer.  It’s a perfect family event so young and old are sure to enjoy it. I decided to check out what events and activities will be going on and this is what I found.


+mutton bustin
+bull riding
+bronc riding
+barrel racing
+team roping


Other things to check out while you’re out there include a petting zoo, pony riding, an authentic Western BBQ and Saloon.


Transportation??? Not a problem! Free shuttles will run from the covered bridge in Beaver Creek Village. I’m excited, I can’t wait to experience this event and enjoy beautiful Colorado in the Summer.  Ok so now that you know a little more about this great event, its time to figure out lodging right?  Well I suggest that you ask one of our Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals for help with all your lodging needs!

At age 26, I’d hardly call myself a wine or food connoisseur, but nevertheless, I’ve always appreciated a delicious meal paired with the perfect glass of wine. Haven’t you ever wondered about the science behind the preparation of a meal or how to choose the right wine to go with your food? I certainly have, so when I found out about the Aspen Wine and Food Classic on June 17-19, I immediately marked it on my calendar.


I’ve always felt that I have a more mature palette and adventurous personality when it came to trying food, so after seeing the itinerary for the week, it piqued my interest even more. The weekend will be filled with chefs, wine experts, and crowd-pleasing speakers. World-class chefs will be coming in from around the world to share a sampling of their life’s work. Even if I go for just a day, I’m sure I’ll come away with an abundance of knowledge on anything from cheese, family cooking, and of course, wines.


So, whether you want to learn about wines, find some new recipes, or just appreciate good food and company be sure to get your ticket to the Aspen Food and Wine Classic today! 2% of every Classic ticket sold will go towards the Grow for Good campaign. The Grow for Good Campaign is a national initiative dedicated to supporting local farms and encouraging sustainable agriculture. Lastly, don’t forget to contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for your lodging needs.

March 1st is quickly approaching and my mind is slowly filling with thoughts of spring.  Melting snow, blooming flowers, less clothing, and warmer weather.  Overall, I’m going to have to start thinking about how I’m going to loose this holiday weight.  What better way than to start training for the Aspen Cycling Festival?  Taking place this year on May 20-22, the festival is a combination of two popular events, Ride for the Pass and the Aspen Cycling Criterium.  With exciting new additions this year such as special lodging rates, Sundog Athletics Criterium skills clinic, kids races/activities and over $7000.00 in cash prizes, the weekend is perfect for any cycling enthusiasts and their family.

If you’re looking for an endurance challenge, Ride for the Pass will definitely be that.  The course spans over 10 miles and gains approximately 2,500 feet of elevation from 8,500 feet to 11,100 feet.  Not only will this event help me shed those unwanted pounds, but it also allows me to fulfill my new years resolution to be more charitable.  Ride for the Pass is a charity bike race to benefit the Independence Pass Foundation.  Day two of the festival is the Aspen Cycling Criterium.  Sure to get your heart pumping, athletes race around the heart of downtown Aspen at average speeds of 28mph and higher.  The track spans .9 miles and is full of sharp curves to keep you on your toes.

So, if you’re new years goals are anything like mine, or if you’re just looking for a challenge this spring, head to Aspen for the Aspen Cycling Festival.  Registration for the event doesn’t begin for another couple weeks, but it’s never too early to start training.  Be sure to contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for your lodging needs.

Come to Telluride this summer to experience all the festivals, mountains and beautiful scenery. If pairing the beauty of mountains with the indulgence of fine wines interest you then you will be sure to enjoy the 2011 Telluride Wine Festival. This is just one of the unique festivals Telluride has to offer this summer. The wine festival takes place on June 23rd-26th.

This year there will be more chefs, more experts, more wine, and more cocktails than ever! This is an event you cannot miss! New to the festival this year will be Chef and Food Network Star Aaron Sanchez, Chef and Author John Sedlar and Chef Sue Torres, as well as Wine/Spirits experts F. Paul Pacult and Andrea Robinson, MS. Returning favorites Doug Frost MS, MW; Steve Olson, Greg Harrington, MS; and Andy Seymour will also be part of the all star lineup, as well as many others!

The Wine Festival has amazing food, great music, and fabulous wines from across the country. You will not be bored with all the nonstop entertainment! Make sure you don’t miss out on this weekend! Contact your Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for your lodging information.

The Town of Vail will be exhibiting wooden sleds decorated by local artists and will be on view in various locations throughout Vail Village. The first ever Invitational Art Sled Exhibition will promote sustainability, creativity, recreation and community. Want to buy one of the sleds on exhibit? Well you’re in luck! At the end of the exhibit the sleds will be sold in a silent auction and a portion of the proceeds will help fund art programs in Vail.


Exhibit opens this President’s Day weekend. They will be on exhibit in: Claggett Rey Gallery, Cogswell Gallery, Masters Gallery, Pismo Gallery, Vail Fine Art Gallery, Vail International Gallery, Vail Village Arts, Worth Interiors, The Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum and the Vail Public Library. For details on the visit Art in Vail.


Want to go sledding now huh? Well check out Ellefson Park in Vail. It’s Vail’s most popular sledding hill (from what I’ve heard). The park is not crowded at all, there are table settings for you to eat or take a break. Here are some easy directions: Take the West Vail exit from I-70. (If traveling on I-70 E, cross under the I-70 on Chamonix Road). In the round-about, take the Chamonix Road. Left on Chamonix Lane. Left on Arosa Drive. Right on Garmisch Drive.


Want to do even MORE stuff around Vail? Ask one of our friendly, knowledgeable, locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for suggestions on even more things to do and all your lodging needs while you’re out here.

      Telluride Comedy Fest consists of a hilarious weekend of comedy in the beautiful Telluride.  The fest begins on Feb 17^th through the Feb 20^th.  Each night of this festival includes some of the best and funniest performers out there today. There are a variety of comedic acts from Stand-Up, Sketch, and Improv.

Features Acts:

Scot Armstrong (writer) – Old School, Starsky & Hutch, Road Trip, The Hangover Part II
Jessica Chaffin – 90210, The Mighty B!, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, Rona & Beverly
Jon Daly – Parks and Recreation, Bride Wars, NYC Sketch Group Mr. A$$
Jamie Denbo – Children’s Hospital, Terriers, Conan, Weeds, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Ed Helms – The Office, The Hangover, The Hangover Part II
Brian Huskey – Free Radio, Best Week Ever, Superbad, Step Brothers, Parks and Recreation
Nick Kroll – Little Fockers, Dinner For Schmucks, Get Him to the Greek, I Love You Man, Date Night
Jason Mantzoukas – Baby Mama, Splinterheads, Parks and Recreation, The League
Seth Morris – Curb Your Enthusiasm, I Love You Man, Step Brothers, No Strings Attached, Funny or Die
Tig Notaro – Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman Program, Comedy Central’s Benson Interruption, Held Up

     For lodging information contact your Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.

Ski Vacation Ideas: Looking to do something special with that special someone on Valentine’s Day? How about a Mountaintop Matrimony at Loveland Ski Area! If you love your skis and snowboards as much as we do here at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, why not get married or renew your vows in them?

Loveland’s 20th Annual Mountaintop Matrimony is for couples getting married or renewing their vows. The ceremony takes place at 12pm sharp outside the Ptarmagin Roost Cabin at an elevation of 12,050 feet.  The ceremony is a “mass wedding” done for all couples at the same time and lasts approximately 30 minutes. After the ceremony, all participants and guests will ski or snowboard down the mountain for a casual reception with cake, music and prizes. Wedding cake, raffle tickets and beer coupons will be provided complimentary for pre-registered couples. Couples are highly encouraged to dress in appropriate “ski-wedding” attire as there will be a prize for the best dressed couple.

The wedding will not be rescheduled because of snow or cold weather, so be prepared. Sounds like a nice day for a white wedding!

       Do you enjoy snowshoeing? Adventure? Competition? If so the Beaver Creek Snowshoe Adventure is just for you! This snowshoeing series draws first-timers, world class snowshoe athletes, kids of all ages and everyone in between. This snowshoe event includes the East West Resorts 5k Quest, Dogma Athletic 10k and Kids 1k. This is the first year for the Dogma Athletic 10k and it will mark the largest cash prize in snowshoeing in the world with more than $15,000 in prize money.

       If you don’t have snowshoes no need to worry you can rent them at the Beaver Creek Nordic Center close by. This full day event includes slope side sponsor expos and a post-event plaza party for all participates to enjoy. There will be plenty of giveaways and even a post-race meal provided by the Dusty Boot (which has awesome food).
      

        The next event date takes place Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 11:00 am at McCoy Park. Pre- Registration is $30 and $35 the day of the event. Check out active.com to sign up for this event. For lodging information for this event contact your Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals!